It’s so easy being a single mom…

It’s so easy…….

While I’m sorry to see the summer vacation passing, starting back to school with our children really is a time that heralds in organization and routine!Let me share my experience with you of getting me and my girls back into school mode routine.

Monday morning after waking up joyfully:

I journaled and read my Jesus Calling book.

I walked outside to see the sunrise and do some yoga.

I prepared a wholesome breakfast.

I woke my girls, who all gave me a smile and said, “I’m so excited for school.”

We dressed and ate together at the table.

I drove everyone to their respective schools early, with a hearty lunch packed and an “I love you with all my heart, -Mom” card tucked in.

I received an “I love you mom” as they walked into school.

I then had a great day at the office and picked everyone up on time after school.

They did their homework without me asking and then played.

We cooked shrimp stir fry. These awesome girls chopped veggies and did the dishes!

Everyone adhered to the “no electronics on school nights” rule. We read, said prayers, and went to bed.

I did get up and journal quickly, and boiled water which serves three purposes — tea, oatmeal, and hard-boiled eggs.

I woke up my girls — again. From the teenagers, I received an angry “I’m awake!” as they are barely visible under the covers. From Ava, my 6 y.o. I heard “I want to wear my pink dress!”

I made a shake in my shaker cup with a scoop of protein (Keto-Alkaline Protein Shake) and a scoop of Mighty Maca — no time to blend, just shake while making Ava’s lunch… leftover sushi. (Don’t worry she really loves sushi)

Me: “Breakfast ready”

Me, again, a few minutes later: “Breakfast ready!”… and again “Breakfast iiiiiissss ready!”

Me: “Time to go!”

Me, 5 minutes later: “In the car!”

As I begin rushing everyone to the car, I grabbed the hard-boiled egg (which I somehow managed to peel) and oatmeal and shake and two spoons.

Me: “Ava, did you have a fight with your hairbrush? Really, your hairbrush is your friend.” “Hold and eat the egg while I brush”

At the car now… teenager walks out, boots and make-up in hand: “I’m gonna be late! Can we get Starbucks and Chick-fil-A?”

Me: “Eat your egg – it is pre- Chick-fil-A!… everyone in the car… and shoot, we’re gonna be late.”

I drop Ava off first.

Me: “Have a good day honey!”

Ava: “I don’t want to go!”

Me: “ Look there’s your teacher!

Ava: “No!”

Me: “Yes!”

I put the car in park, coaxed her out with her teachers help which became very easy as her friends, also late, pulled up and her mom yelled to me “Anna can you take these into school I’m still in my PJs!”

Me: “Lucky you!”

Then driving teen to school, finished the argument: T: “Why can’t we get Starbucks, I am already late?”

Me: (I must admit I was really tempted by that argument but said brilliantly) “Because we’re already late!” Chitchat, chitchat, then drop her off.

Off to the office — and then I realized I didn’t put a bra on! Thank God for sweaters that were stashed somewhere in the trunk of the car!

Then, AFTER school…

Okay, you get the picture!

The back-to-school routine is not quite solid, calm, and peaceful yet.

It’s hard to wear so many hats when you only have one head, isn’t it?

Actually, that’s what I wrote last year and how am I doing this year you may ask?

Some things never change! But I honestly have it much more together on most days!

Truthfully, keeping routines as simple and easy as possible with good planning and nightly before bed preparations has been key to school morning survival and 7am bus times (at least Ava loves the bus and teenager is now driving)! I,too am enjoying our “picnic breakfasts” at the bus stop some mornings too!

Keeping our meals nutritional and specifically focusing on brain foods and a brainy way of eating as I introduced in my last email is essential as well.

Research has shown and is showing that eating a ketogenic diet is “Brain Healthy”.

A ketogenic diet consist of healthy fats, moderate proteins and low carb. The process leads to burning fat for energy instead of glucose.

It is healthy for the developing brains of our children too.

It is like all the nutrition suggestion I’ve made, ultimately about eating.

Food you like

Rich in micronutrients

Whole foods

Organic, locally grown is ideal

Low glycemic load

Tip: Preparing food in advance and organizing straight from the grocery bags is key to having some healthy meal times.

Top Tip: COMMUNITY.

This has made the biggest difference in my life this past year:

I joined a single moms ministry called Beloved (Who has time? Now, I won’t miss it!) Knowing that I am not alone in my struggles and goals for a healthy family, mind, body, and soul, is one aspect but having genuine community and connection is priceless.

One of our single moms Katherine Wakeland said:

“Beloved (our group name/ministry) has reached into the heart of all of us and turned on the lights of community, trusted fellowship, safety and has loved many of us back to life ….. It’s a place we can refuel spiritually and grow together in order to be the God fearing moms and women we are called to be….. We are doing this thing called life together knowing that each of us is praying the other along and lifting all that is before us in prayer daily …. We are all at different places personally and spiritually but this amazing group of women leave no mom behind ”

I encourage you to seek community, begin a small weekly or every other week group study. Let me know how you do and if I can help.

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I have been using Mighty Maca Greens as part of my training program. During the competition season I have at least 2 scoops in my morning smoothie and another 1-2 scoops throughout the day. It really helps keep me balanced.